As a recovering urban planner working in local government this one hurt a little—in a good way.

Dividing Lines does a thorough job of examining the often overlooked ways transportation systems have established and perpetuate racial segregation and inequality in the US. Through historical analysis, case studies, and contemporary examples, Archer highlights how transportation policies have systematically disadvantaged Black communities, often exacerbating racial divides and limiting access to resources and opportunities.

Archer explores how transportation infrastructure has long been a tool for reinforcing racial and economic segregation. She traces the history of transportation decisions and policy to present day practices that continue to restrict mobility for marginalized groups. Showing the direct tie between transportation policy and racial inequality, she reveals the deep, often missed systems of exclusion that impact daily life.

One of the book's strengths is how it connects transportation to broader themes of racial justice and equity. Archer makes it clear that addressing racial disparities in transportation is not just about fixing bus routes or repairing roads, rather it’s about recognizing and dismantling the structural systems that perpetuate inequality.

Throughout the text, Archer's passion for her work is clear. She argues that transportation reform is an essential component of any larger effort to combat racial injustice in the US. A call to action for policymakers, activists, and everyday citizens alike, the book invites people to reimagine how transportation systems can be designed to serve everyone, not just the privileged few.

For anyone interested in navigating the intersections of race, infrastructure, and inequality, this book is an important, thought provoking read.